UPDATE - Zelenskyy expects positive EU report on Ukraine’s progress toward membership

CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE, ADDS STATEMENTS FROM ZELENSKYY

By Alperen Aktas and Melike Pala

ISTANBUL/BRUSSELS (AA) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed Ukraine’s progression on the path toward membership in the European Union ahead of the release of the bloc’s 2025 enlargement package, an annual assessment of candidate countries' progress.

Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the upcoming report, saying there is “every reason to expect a positive outcome” for Ukraine’s membership path.

He said that discussions focused on Kyiv’s reform path and energy cooperation, noting that von der Leyen briefed him on coordination with institutions and partner countries to mobilize funds for Ukraine’s energy sector.

“The contributions may be very significant, and we will continue working to increase them,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

He added that Ukrainian and EU teams will begin implementing existing agreements this week and have coordinated their next steps.

Von der Leyen described the discussions as "good," assuring Zelenskyy on the US social media company X’s platform that "Ukraine will not face this winter alone."

She said the EU stands with Ukraine by providing emergency energy support to help the country through the coming months.

"At the same time, we are working on options to ensure the necessary sustained financial assistance to Ukraine," she added

Von der Leyen noted that the European Commission will adopt its enlargement package on Tuesday, commending Ukraine's "remarkable commitment to its European path over the past year."

"The Commission's message is clear: Ukraine is ready to move forward," she said.

Ukraine applied for EU membership in February 2022, received candidate status in June 2022, had accession talks opened in December 2023 and held its first intergovernmental conference in June 2024.

Discussions among EU member states on the pace and conditions of Ukraine's accession remain ongoing, with Slovakia and Hungary frequently expressing opposition.